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Essex Minors 1 - Woodhurst 2
Independent Sunday League
Bretons Farm, Sunday 16th March 03
Buoyant from their convincing victory over Kamara a week earlier, Woodhurst went into the game against Essex Minors full of confidence knowing that a victory was imperative in keeping their championship aspirations alive. Once again the 'Hurst were struggling to field a full strength 11 due to injury and a couple members of the team being struck down by a mystery "illness", believed to have been picked up at Faces the previous evening - and apparently that wasn't all that was picked up by the players in question.
The game started off at a lively pace with both sides enjoying good spells of possession early on. Woodham started back in the centre of midfield after a lengthy absence and he and Lawley soon stamped their authority on the game. The 'Hurst were soon establishing a foothold on the game with Probert and Rogers combining well up front with good support play from Houlton and Hughes on the wings. At the other end new boy Gal slotted into right back with Taylor giving his usual powerhouse display at left back, leaving Fullerton and McShea to stem any Minor's attacking play down the middle which they did with their usual pinache. Bashford deputised well for the ill Norton in the sticks and at times played as an extra centre half.
As the game progressed Rogers, Probert, Hughes and Houlton all gave the home keeper some work to do, but the deadlock was broken 25 minutes in by a pile driver from Woodham from 30 yards which flew in over the helpless keeper's head and put Woodham in the nominations for goal of the season. The boys from Nelson Road were now flying, playing in parts some excellent football which was rewarded by Lawley scrambling in a Houlton cross to make it 2-0.
Up until this point the Minors forwards were unable to find a way through the well organised 'Hurst defence with their best efforts being restricted to shots from outside the box. However soon after the second goal, Taylor pulled up with a hamstring injury but played on in the absence of any subs. Towards the end of the half Minors exposed the lack of mobility down that side and started to win a number of corners and began to test Bashford.
The second half saw the home side exert more pressure and after 10 minutes had pegged a goal back with the Minor striker's pace taking him clear of the Woodhurst defence and shooting low past Bashford. A few minutes later the 'Hurst were living on their luck a little, as a shot cannoned off the post to a minor's player who couldn't control it to turn it into the empty net.
Throughout the half Rogers and Probert continued to make life hard for the home defence and Fullerton added yet another yellow card to his already impressive collection this season. Bashford was called upon to make a couple of impressive saves but the 'Hurst began to reclaim their mark on the game in the final quarter and the match finished 2-1, with Woodhurst well on course to their 4th successive championship.
Team
Nick Bashford
Gary McKie
Tony Taylor
Roy Lawley
Paul McShea
Jason Fullerton
Stephen Hughes
Ryan Houlton
Simon Probert
Jimmy Woodham
Leevan Rogers
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